KUBB

gotland

 Kubb has an over 1000 year old history! Kubb's origins can most probably be found on the island of Gotland (The biggest Swedish Island in the Baltic sea). Kubb was widely spread among the medieval Vikings. The Vikings entertained themselves with Kubb d uring their feasts and after their fierce battles.

In medieval times, Kubb was played with "Vedkubbar" (sawnwood in swedish). That also explains the origin of the name "Kubb", in swedish it means nothing else than "log of wood". The game can be seen as a symbolized battlefield: two armies with five solders (Kubbs) fight against each other for the glory of their king.

Thanks to the Hanseatic Trade League, witch increased the trade between the people around the Baltic sea and the rest of Europe, the game rapidely spread out all over northern Europe. By the end 14th century, Kubb was a very popular game in Scandinavia, England, Germany and northern France. .

Unfortunately Kubb disappeared almost completely since these times. Only on the island of Gotland Kubb was still known and played by the locals. But in the last years, lots of people regained interest in medieval habits and games. 
Since 1995 a Kubb worldchampionship is organized every year in Gotland. 
In 1999 Kubb got also very popular on the Swedish mainland. It got so popular, that during the summer of 2000, all Kubb sets in Sweden were completely sold out.

(notes and picture from  www.swisskubb.ch )

How to play

 Kubb is played by two teams from  1 to 6 players each, on a field max. 5 x 10 meters. 
The game has three kind of wooden pieces:
1 King, 10 Kubbs e 6 throwing batons.
You will also find in box  4 corner stakes.



Aim of the game : hit all opponent Kubbs and then the King.

Playing Kubb is very simple. 
However there are many ways to play, according to the countries or to the wishes of players.

On this web site www.vmkubb.com you can find official rules for World Kubb Championship
(it takes place every August at Gotland, Sweden).

KUBB Page